About
"Doing something different every day when you go to work is kind of cool. You know, one day you’d be riding a motorcycle, next day maybe a horse, next day doing a car chase, the next day doing a bar fight. I mean, [stunts] just opened up everything for you."
In his nearly two-hour interview, Diamond Farnsworth talks about growing up with his father, stunt performer Richard Farnsworth, and on his first on-screen appearances: as a five-year-old in The Ten Commandments and his first stunt work on the movie Paint Your Wagon. He discusses his mentors, Freddy Waugh and Buddy Van Horn and moving into television work on The Partridge Family and Bonanza. Farnsworth then goes on to describe stunts he performed on The Rockford Files (and working with star James Garner) and Magnum, P.I., as well as how he came to know show creator Donald P. Bellisario with whom he worked for decades. He describes injuries he sustained on the films Rollerball and Rollercoaster and speaks about precautions stunt performers take doing various types of stunts including on motorcycles, horses, explosions, falls, and more. He touches on stunts he performed on Tales of the Gold Monkey and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker and details the role of the stunt coordinator on set. Farnsworth then discusses doubling Scott Bakula on Quantum Leap and Star Trek: Enterprise, as well as his work on JAG and NCIS. Throughout, he describes the logistics of various impressive stunts he performed during the course of his career, as well as the professional responsibilities of stunt performers and coordinators and how they interact with other on-set professionals. He touches on his film work, including doubling Sylvester Stallone in First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II, and concludes by talking about how technology has impacted stunt work and advice for aspiring stunt performers. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on November 12, 2025 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on The Rockford Files and working with James Garner
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt on Quantum Leap where he waterskied behind a helicopter
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts in First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II
Diamond Farnsworth on injuries he sustained while doing stunts on the movie Rollercoaster
Diamond Farnsworth on the relationship between the stunt coordinator and stunt performer on a set
Diamond Farnsworth on doubling David James Elliott on JAG and some of the dramatic stunts he did in that role
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early childhood and how he came to be called "Diamond"; on his father, stunt performer Richard Farnsworth, and on TV he watched growing up; on his first stunt job on the film Paint Your Wagon, and on his first onscreen appearance (at age 5) in The Ten Commandments; on what it was like to work on Paint Your Wagon
On how he got stunt jobs at the start of his career, and on his mentors: Fred Waugh and Buddy Van Horn; on performing motorcycle stunts on The Partridge Family, and on precautions that one needs to take when doing stunts on motorcycles; on being a stunt performer on Bonanza, and on performing stunts on horses; on the popularity of motorcycles on TV shows in the 1970s and '80s
On performing stunts on The Rockford Files, and on working with James Garner; on a typical work day on The Rockford Files, and on danger he faced doing a stunt on the James Garner series Nichols; on meeting Donald P. Bellisario, and on performing stunts on Magnum, P.I.; on the amount of rehearsal time stunt performers usually get in television, and on shooting Magnum in Hawaii; on safety standards for stunt performers, and on a stunt he refused to do while shooting Rambo; on an injuries he sustained while filming the movies Rollerball and Rollercoaster
On the difference between doing stunts for movies and television; on the Stuntmen's Association, and on what he likes about doing stunts; on a stunt where he knew he would be hurt on Streets of Fire, and on the precautions he would take to avoid injuries; on how pay is determined for stunt performers; on becoming a stunt coordinator on Tales of the Gold Monkey, and on working with Donald P. Bellisario; on the role of a stunt coordinator, and on the role of assistant directors and second unit directors; on how stunt coordinators collaborate with directors and other on-set professionals; on handling actors who perform their own stunts, and on stunts on Tales of the Gold Monkey; on doing stunts for Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Chapter 2
On working on Quantum Leap, and on doubling for Scott Bakula; on what going into doubling an actor, and on specific episodes and costumes on Quantum Leap; on a stunt on Quantum Leap where he waterskied behind a helicopter, and on safety precautions for stunts involving airplanes and helicopters; on the Quantum Leap episode "Justice" and working with explosives, and on the episode "Memphis Melody" where Scott Bakula played Elvis
On how he came to work on JAG while he continued to do stunts for Quantum Leap, and on his long-running relationship with Donald P. Bellisario; on working with David James Elliott on JAG, and on some dramatic stunts he did on the show; on working with Katherine Bell who did many of her own stunts, and on memorable stunts on the show; on consulting with the military on JAG, and on stunts he did on an aircraft carrier; on working on JAG during the events of September 11, 2001; on doubling Scott Bakula on Star Trek: Enterprise, and on using an air ram on the show; on wearing the makeup forPlanet of the Apes and doing horse stunts; on stuntman Joe Canutt, and on the prevalence of families going into stuntwork
On a stunt he performed in the pilot of NCIS, and on working with Mark Harmon; on working with Cote de Pablo and Katrina Law on NCIS, and on working with his daughter when she performed stunts on the show; on working with budgets and stunt performers as a stunt coordinator; on working with the cinematographer, and on how he would determine if an actor was capable of performing a stunt; on being nominated for Emmys, and on what is in a stunt bag
On why he left NCIS, and on performing stunts with Mark Harmon's son Sean; on the logistics of performing stunts involving explosions, and on his stunt work in movies including Hero at Large, The Grey Fox, multiple Sylvester Stallone films, and The Fugitive; on how stunt work has changed since he started his career, and on how technology has impacted stunt work; on advice for aspiring stunt performers, and on the importance of oral history interviews; on his proudest career achievement
B-roll photos from his career and life, including pictures of Farnsworth with his father and images of him on set with actors he doubled, and doing some of his stunts
Shows
Bonanza
Diamond Farnsworth on how he came to work on Bonanza, and on the kinds of stunts he performed on the show
JAG
Diamond Farnsworth on doing stunts for JAG and doubling David James Elliott
Diamond Farnsworth on working with Katherine Bell, who did many of her own stunts, on JAG
Diamond Farnsworth on doing aerial stunts on JAG, and on some of the most memorable stunts on the show
Diamond Farnsworth on consulting with the military for accuracy when he was a stunt coordinator on JAG, and on stunts he did on an aircraft carrier
Magnum, P.I.
Diamond Farnsworth on the kinds of stunts he performed on Magnum, P.I.
Diamond Farnsworth on filming Magnum, P.I., on which he was a stunt performer, in Hawaii
NCIS
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt he did on the pilot of NCIS, and on doubling Mark Harmon on the show
Diamond Farnsworth on working with Cote de Pablo and Katrina Law on NCIS, both of whom did a lot of their own stunts, and on his daughter, Courtney, performing stunts on the show
Diamond Farnsworth on why he left NCIS, and on performing stunts with Mark Harmon's son Sean
Nichols
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on the James Garner show Nichols
Partridge Family, The
Diamond Farnsworth on performing motorcycle stunts on The Partridge Family
Quantum Leap
Diamond Farnsworth on his stunt work on Quantum Leap and doubling Scott Bakula
Diamond Farnsworth on different episodes and specific stunts on Quantum Leap
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt he did on Quantum Leap where he dove into a pool that was on fire, and on doing stunts where he fell through windows
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt on Quantum Leap where he waterskied behind a helicopter
Diamond Farnsworth on doing an explosion stunt for the Quantum Leap episode "Justice"
Diamond Farnsworth on doing stunts for the Quantum Leap episode "Memphis Melody"
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt he performed on Quantum Leap
Rockford Files, The
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on The Rockford Files, including one on a boat, and on working with James Garner
Diamond Farnsworth on a typical day when he was a stunt performer on The Rockford Files
Topics
9/11
Diamond Farnsworth on working as a stunt coordinator on JAG during the events of September 11, 2011
Advice
Diamond Farnsworth on advice for aspiring stunt performers
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Diamond Farnsworth on his mentors in his career as a stunt performer: Fred Waugh and Buddy Van Horn
Emmy Awards
Diamond Farnsworth on being nominated for Emmy awards for his stunt work on NCIS
First Big Break
Diamond Farnsworth on his first job in stunt work on the film Paint Your Wagon, as well as his first on-screen appearance in The Ten Commandments
Historic Events and Social Change
Diamond Farnsworth on working as a stunt coordinator on JAG during the events of September 11, 2011
Pivotal Career Moments
Diamond Farnsworth on his first job in stunt work on the film Paint Your Wagon, as well as his first on-screen appearance in The Ten Commandments
Diamond Farnsworth on his mentors in his career as a stunt performer: Fred Waugh and Buddy Van Horn
Television Industry
Diamond Farnsworth on advice for aspiring stunt performers
Professions
Assistant Director
Diamond Farnsworth on the role of assistant directors and second unit directors, and on how stunt coordinators work with directors and other production professionals
Performers
Diamond Farnsworth on the safety precautions for stunt performers when falling through windows
Diamond Farnsworth on the safety precautions for stunts involving water, in particular on a stunt he did on Quantum Leap where he waterskied behind a helicopter
Diamond Farnsworth on safety precautions for stunts involving airplanes and helicopters
Diamond Farnsworth on doing an explosion stunt for an episode of Quantum Leap, and on how stunt coordinators work with practical effects professionals on-set
Diamond Farnsworth on not having a background in martial arts but still being able to perform stunts of that nature
Diamond Farnsworth on why he thinks there are many families who all go into stunts
Diamond Farnsworth on not having men double for women when doing stunts, and on how he works with stunt performers and budgets as a stunt coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on how he would determine if an actor could perform their own stunts when he was serving as stunt coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on what a "stunt bag" is and what is usually inside one
Diamond Farnsworth on the logistics of performing a stunt involving an explosion
Diamond Farnsworth on how stunt work has changed since he started his career, and on how technology has impacted stunt work
Diamond Farnsworth on being a stunt performer on the film Paint Your Wagon
Diamond Farnsworth on the precautions you need to take when performing motorcycle stunts
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on horses
Diamond Farnsworth on the amount of rehearsal time he usually got for stunts when working in television, and on hating retakes
Diamond Farnsworth on whether the tragic accident on the set of The Twilight Zone movie in 1982 affected safety in the stunt profession more generally, and on how he approached safety issues on set in his work
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt he refused to do while shooting Rambo
Diamond Farnsworth on injuries he sustained in his stunt work, including on the movies Rollerball and Rollercoaster
Diamond Farnsworth on the Stuntmen's Association
Diamond Farnsworth on what he likes about doing stunts, the kinds of stunts he did in his career, and the kind of stunts he liked best
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt that he did for Streets of Fire that he knew would get him hurt, on precautions he would take to avoid injuries, and on how stunt performers are paid
Diamond Farnsworth on the role of a stunt coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on the role of assistant directors and second unit directors, and on how stunt coordinators work with directors and other production professionals
Production Professionals
Diamond Farnsworth on the role of assistant directors and second unit directors, and on how stunt coordinators work with directors and other production professionals
Stunt Performer/Stunt Supervisor/Stunt Coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on the safety precautions for stunt performers when falling through windows
Diamond Farnsworth on the safety precautions for stunts involving water, in particular on a stunt he did on Quantum Leap where he waterskied behind a helicopter
Diamond Farnsworth on safety precautions for stunts involving airplanes and helicopters
Diamond Farnsworth on doing an explosion stunt for an episode of Quantum Leap, and on how stunt coordinators work with practical effects professionals on-set
Diamond Farnsworth on not having a background in martial arts but still being able to perform stunts of that nature
Diamond Farnsworth on why he thinks there are many families who all go into stunts
Diamond Farnsworth on not having men double for women when doing stunts, and on how he works with stunt performers and budgets as a stunt coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on working with the cinematographer as a stunt coordinator, and on the logistics of shooting a fight scene
Diamond Farnsworth on working with the cinematographer as a stunt coordinator, and on the logistics of shooting a fight scene
Diamond Farnsworth on how he would determine if an actor could perform their own stunts when he was serving as stunt coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on what a "stunt bag" is and what is usually inside one
Diamond Farnsworth on the logistics of performing a stunt involving an explosion
Diamond Farnsworth on how stunt work has changed since he started his career, and on how technology has impacted stunt work
Diamond Farnsworth on being a stunt performer on the film Paint Your Wagon
Diamond Farnsworth on the precautions you need to take when performing motorcycle stunts
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on horses
Diamond Farnsworth on the amount of rehearsal time he usually got for stunts when working in television, and on hating retakes
Diamond Farnsworth on whether the tragic accident on the set of The Twilight Zone movie in 1982 affected safety in the stunt profession more generally, and on how he approached safety issues on set in his work
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt he refused to do while shooting Rambo
Diamond Farnsworth on injuries he sustained in his stunt work, including on the movies Rollerball and Rollercoaster
Diamond Farnsworth on the Stuntmen's Association
Diamond Farnsworth on what he likes about doing stunts, the kinds of stunts he did in his career, and the kind of stunts he liked best
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt that he did for Streets of Fire that he knew would get him hurt, on precautions he would take to avoid injuries, and on how stunt performers are paid
Diamond Farnsworth on the role of a stunt coordinator
Diamond Farnsworth on the role of assistant directors and second unit directors, and on how stunt coordinators work with directors and other production professionals
Diamond Farnsworth on how stunt professionals work with actors who perform their own stunts
Genres
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Diamond Farnsworth on his stunt work on The Rockford Files
Diamond Farnsworth on his stunt work on Magnum, P.I.
Legal Dramas
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on JAG
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on NCIS
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Diamond Farnsworth on performing motorcycle stunts on The Partridge Family
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on Quantum Leap as Scott Bakula's double
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on Star Trek: Enterprise
Western Series
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts on Bonanza
People
Scott Bakula
Diamond Farnsworth on doubling Scott Bakula for stunts on Quantum Leap
Diamond Farnsworth on doubling Scott Bakula on Star Trek: Enterprise
Donald P. Bellisario
Diamond Farnsworth on doing stunts for multiple Donald P. Belissario shows, why he and Bellisario worked so well together, and on his favorite story about him
Diamond Farnsworth on how he met Donald P. Bellisario, and on working with him when he was doing stunts for Magnum, P.I.
Diamond Farnsworth on working with Donald P. Bellisario on Tales of the Gold Monkey and Quantum Leap
James Garner
Diamond Farnsworth on working with James Garner when he was a stunt performer on The Rockford Files
Mark Harmon
Diamond Farnsworth on doubling Mark Harmon on NCIS
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts with Mark Harmon's son Sean on NCIS
Michael Jackson
Diamond Farnsworth on doing stunts for Michael Jackson's Moonwalker and his interactions with Jackson
Lee Marvin
Diamond Farnsworth on working with Lee Marvin on the film Paint Your Wagon
John Ritter
Diamond Farnsworth on performing stunts in the movie Hero at Large starring John Ritter
Sylvester Stallone
Diamond Farnsworth on his stunt work in multiple Sylvester Stallone movies including First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II
Diamond Farnsworth on a stunt he refused to do while shooting Rambo